Meet Subhas Chandra Lal Das: Ex-IAS officer and ex-secretary MSME ministry takes over as DERC chairman | Today’s news
Retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Subhas Chandra Lal Das has taken over as chairman of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the power sector in Delhi.
Delhi Power Minister Ashish Sood administered the oath of secrecy to Das on Thursday at his office in New Delhi, according to ANI.
Congratulating Das on his appointment, Sood said his long administrative experience would be valuable in strengthening Delhi’s power sector. He also highlighted the Delhi government’s focus on transparency, accountability and protecting the interests of electricity consumers.
“His vast experience and administrative expertise will further strengthen the functioning of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission,” the minister said.
Who is Subhas Chandra Lal Das?
Das is a retired IAS officer of 1992 batch of AGMUT cadre. He was most recently Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India.
According to biographical information provided SecretariatDas was born on 10 April 1966. He holds a BSc in Statistics, an LLM from Delhi University and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. Fluent in English and Hindi.
During his administrative career, Das held several posts including Secretary, Director, Joint Secretary, Joint Equivalent to Chief Financial Secretary, Contract Officer, Deputy Secretary and Additional Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor.
On 16 September 2026, the Secretariat announced his appointment as Chairman of DERC after his stint as Secretary in the Ministry of MSME.
What is DERC and what is it for?
DERC regulates the electricity sector in Delhi and oversees matters related to electricity distribution and consumer interests. Among its responsibilities are the regulation of electricity rates, the supply of energy by distribution companies and other key aspects of the city’s electricity market.
The Commission was constituted by the Government of Delhi in 1999 under the Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 1998.
Das’s appointment comes as consumer protection, reliable power supply and accountability remain important issues for households and businesses in Delhi. The Delhi government said it expects his administrative experience to strengthen the regulator’s functioning.
Why was the post of DERC chairman vacant?
The post of Chairman DERC remained vacant from July 2025 after the retirement of Justice (Retired) Umesh Kumar.
In May 2026, Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu constituted a committee to recommend candidates for the appointment of DERC chairman and two other members.
Das’ appointment puts a new chairman at the helm of the regulator, which plays a key role in deciding electricity distribution and consumer interests in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
